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McCain hails Iraq progress as Obama visits war veterans

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

June 29, 2008

WASHINGTON - As Republican presidential nominee-in-waiting John McCain said yesterday that significant progress is being made in Iraq, Democrat Barack Obama paid a visit to wounded war veterans at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

The presumed Democratic nominee, who was in Washington to speak to the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, spent about two hours inside the facility. On his way in and out, he did not speak to the small group of reporters who follow him, and the visit wasn't on his public schedule.

Obama has criticized the Bush administration for its treatment of veterans returning from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and has suggested McCain would continue Bush policies if elected.

The administration was roundly criticized last year after it was revealed that veterans at Walter Reed were housed in rundown accommodations and suffered neglect.

McCain, appearing with Iraq President Jalal Talabani, expressed confidence about prospects for the two countries completing a complex agreement that would keep U.S. troops in Iraq after a UN mandate expires at year-end. And, Talabani said an American military presence still was needed.

"I, of, course am encouraged. We both agree that the progress has been significant but the progress is also fragile. And there's a lot of work that needs to be done," McCain said at the end of a private meeting with Talabani.

U.S. and Iraqi authorities are trying to meet a July target for completing a security agreement. Talks bogged down over several key issues, which Iraqi lawmakers said violated the nation's sovereignty. Recently, however, Iraqi authorities said prospects for a deal had brightened after the Americans submitted new, unspecified proposals.

"I am confident that the two nations, as sovereign nations, will reach agreement in the best interests of the United States of America and the best interests of Iraq," McCain said.

Also yesterday, Obama's campaign said the likely nominee will travel to Jordan, Israel, Germany, France and the United Kingdom this summer in an effort to boost his foreign policy credentials. The Illinois senator also has said he intends to visit Iraq and Afghanistan; his campaign would not say whether those stops would be part of the trip to the Mideast and Europe.